Leaf-spring lubricant



the spring has a high cvnv r. reason, or non Kansas.

near-seams Lnnmoan'r.

manner.

No Erawing.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, CALVIN T THOMP- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Leaf-Spring Lubricant, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to. compositions for lubricating urpose's, particularly adapted to lubricate tlie laminations of leaf springs.

In the manufacture of spring steel there is a shrinkage in the center of the steel bar, with the result leaf spring,'the various laminations do not lie flat one upon another. a very small area of one leaf I adjacent leaf and most of the wear takes place along the edges and points of each leaf. There is a pocket left in the center of the leaves where rust, dust, sand and grit accumulate to the detriment ofthe leafof the spring. A compound, to properly lubricate leaf springs, must fill these pockets and must have a long lubricating life, must have sufficient body to prevent the entrance of dust, sand and grit, and at the same time eliminate the formation of rust.

The object of the present invention is to provide a compound which will perfectly lubricate the leaves of leaf springs, giving to the same a long life, permitting each leaf of the spring to funct'on separately so that resiliency.

Further objects are to provide a lubricant compound which has sufiicient body to fill all the uneven places between the leaves and the pockets in the spring, and which, under the actionof the leaves, becomes burnished to form a perfect wearing surface.

The improved composition is made up of graphite, 2 parts; varnish, 3 parts; and liquid glue, 1 part. The part or proportions are by-measure. The graphite is used because of its lubricating value; the varnish is used in the compound as a binder; the glue has the function of toughening the compound. These three ingredients are thoroughly mixed and ground together to form a stiff paste, The leaves of the springs are forced apart-and the lubricant is forced 1n between the leaves. When the laniinations assume their original position, the lubricant is forced into all-the uneven places between the leaves and any surplus of the compound that when it is built into a- The result is that rests-upon the 4 Specification 6f Letterslatent. P t t d 289 1922' Application filed September- 7, 19 20. Serial No. 408,552.

. is squeezedout. The friction of the leaves,

when in use, helps to set and burnish the lubricant, which action will be completed in from three to six days, according to conditions. The lubricant, when once applied has a remarkably long life and permits each leaf of the spring to function separately so that the leaf spring does not act like a solid bar of iron, as does a rusty leaf spring.

By actual and varnish alone form a compound which is too brittle, which chips oif of the spring and istherefore unsatisfactory. If graphite and glue are used together, the lubricant is too tough and will not allow the graphite to lubricate the laminations' in the roper manner. Proportions of 2 parts 0 parts of varnish and 1 part of glue, all parts by measure I have found by actual tests to form a practical and perfect lubricant for leaf springs. The compound, when set, forms a hard substance which, under the action of the spring, forms a smooth burnished surface .and has sufli'cient body to stand up under the weight of the load and not wear out at short intervals. The compound fillsthe pockets or low places between the leaves, giving a solid wearing surface between two adjacent leaves in place of the small wearing area found in unlubricated leaf springs.

The varnish used may either be a spirit varnish; that is, a solution of resin and alcohol; or it may be an oleo-resinous vargraphite, 3

kind of glue,-since it is possible that other I viscid adhesives 0r cements may be employed.

I also do not wish to be limited to the precise formula given above, as the relative -proportions of the varnish, glue and graphite may be varied to a certain extent, according to the nature of the varnish and glue used.

What is claimed is v 1. A composition for lubricating purposes, comprising a solution of resinous matter, a glue, and graphite, all mixed together to form a homogeneous paste.

2. A composition for lubricating purposes, comprising a mixture of a varnish, a glue, and graphite, to form a stifi paste.

3. A composition for lubricating purposes, comprising a mixture of varnish, liquid glue,

and graphite, ground; or: mixed together to form a stifi paste, the; varnish forming approximately onePha-l f of the; mixture by volume.

4. A, comgosi tion for lubrioating purposes,

eompri'si'g a mixture olfi varnish, liquid glue,

" and graphite, mixed together to form a stiff homogeneous paste, the volumeof the varnish being greater than that of the graphite and. there being approximately twice as' much graphite as glue.

5. A composition for lubricating purposes, comprlsing a mixture of varnish, glue, and graphite, ground or mixed to ether to form a stiff homogeneous paste, t e ingredients being in the proportions of three parts of varnish to two parts of graphite and one part of liquid glue.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

v CALVIN THOMPSON. 

